A Smashing time...

Frozen shoulder has made life a bit frustrating for the Hostess of The Humble Bungalow...
my range of motion is limited and so typing and knitting have been virtually curtailed.

I have been meaning to sit down and write a post but I have had a series of appointments and a few mishaps that have kept me hopping.

Someone decided to take their anger out on my windshield.

It was a smashing day all around...

it reminds me of that song

"if I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning I'd hammer in the evening..."

I met friends for lunch and parked in an open lot close by the restaurant and when I returned I was actually gobsmacked by what I saw...

and I still wonder 

WHY?

It seems to me to be a senseless act of vandalism.

But let's move on shall we?

I did want to brighten your day by showing you some of the beautiful orchids from The Victoria Orchid Society Show.

I am still enjoying The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton...

it has been a godsend having a novel to take my mind off of my troubles and to give me something to focus on as I wait in the medical offices.

I really wish I could be knitting...

at least I can still play bridge 

  Meg

(whom I adore)

is the 94 year old bridge player 

who continues to inspire me

 had fabulous cards this week...we were "on fire" 

we bid and made a small slam!

I am so grateful for the small joys and simple things in life.

Have yourself a fabulous weekend!

Be Well and Be Kind.

Walking in Sunshine....

My car is in the shop.

Instead of taking the offer of a driver and a ride home I wore my walking shoes

and took a walk in a different area of town.

Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.

It is simple

free

can be done almost anywhere

and the only special equipment you need is a good pair of shoes.

You might need some sunglasses

a warm coat or a rain jacket

umbrella or boots

hat

gloves

Kleenex

sunscreen

if you have a walking partner 

you are blessed.

Conversation makes the time fly and going the distance with a "buddy" is supportive.

One day you may feel tired, lazy or lethargic but your partner urges you on.

Another day it is your turn to encourage him or her.

Walking in a group is popular here in Victoria, 

beyond the seafront there are hiking trails

The Galloping Goose is popular with both cyclists and pedestrians.

We have groups of walkers if you like company:

The TC 10K race has several training groups

Widow's Walking Group

Newcomers Club Walkers

Nordic Pole Walkers

Outdoor Club of Victoria

groups that walk out of the fitness and Seniors centres.

Mr. HB and I walk together on the weekends.

We have "My route" and His route."

My route goes along the waterfront to the Gonzales area of town,

his route goes along the waterfront towards the "boat pond."

Bald Eagle perched in a tree surveying the ocean 

possibly looking for a fish dinner.

Off it flies towards the sea...

soft shades of blues and greys

the sun breaks through the clouds

there are many quiet moments when we walk

moments to enjoy the scenery

moments to observe the unexpected

moments when we share some conversation

we are walking together

as we have done since we walked down the aisle so many years ago.

~ ~ ~

The Victoria Orchid Society Show is on this weekend and I'll be working at the admissions table.

I plan to take my knitting with me just in case there is a quiet moment during the day.

Looking forward to perusing the show and sales table after I finish my shift.

When it comes to orchids I have a weak spot for them and a new one might just accompany me home!

"Walking is man's best medicine."

~ Hippocrates ~

Have a fun weekend!

Food and Flowers...a post that got lost in cyberspace!

First off I must say the food in Seattle was AMAZING...

Breakfast every morning was enjoyed in Andaluca, the Mayflower Park's restaurant.
(Our hotel package; "The Winter Warmer" included breakfast each morning and valet parking)

The English Breakfast tea was perfection...
loose tea leaves, boiling hot, served in a pot with fresh milk.
Followed by eggs, fruit, bacon or sausages, multigrain toast and homemade jam.

Lunches were randomly picked based on where we were walking.
When we got hungry we chose the busier spots thinking that would be a good indicator of quality, which worked well for us.

We indulged in a pre dinner cocktail in Oliver's Lounge before heading out for the evening.

We tried some new restaurants for dinners out and returned to Dahlia Lounge on the Friday night. (which we remember as being one of our favourites)

Sea Bar Sampler from Dahlia Lounge

Tom Douglas's first restaurant

(I think it is still his finest)

This dish is probably the best dish that I have eaten in many many years...

maybe it is the BEST EVER.

Mr. HB had the coconut cream pie for dessert...

the waitress brought us two forks.

I did not even pick mine up.

With great reserve and a nod to my WW "training" I watched as Mr. HB 

 savoured each bite.

The concierge at The Mayflower Park Hotel suggested Barolo when we mentioned we wanted to have an Italian meal on the Saturday evening.

It was a chilly and rainy night so we were relieved to find it was located 5 minutes from the Hotel.

The Bistro was super busy so we were happy that the concierge had arranged a reservation for us.

Grilled Cesar Salad

a much more intense flavour was released by grilling the romaine

Halibut on a bed of vegetables drizzled with lemon, herbs and olive oil.

I ate every morsel.

My first ever bite of a cannoli!

Now I know what all the fuss is about.

Now that we are home back in Our Humble Bungalow food is simpler.

The Victoria Orchid Society has it's annual show and sale this month.

It is a highlight for orchid lovers as there are so many exotic varieties on display.

I will be volunteering at the show

 and after my shift plan to peruse the show and the orchids that growers have on sale.

The windowsill orchids are blooming in our Humble Bungalow Kitchen

They love the humidity situated on the sill just above the sink.

What a pretty sight to see walking in to the kitchen after being away for 4 days.

~ Home Sweet Home ~

Thank you for popping by and spending a few minutes here in The Humble Bungalow.

A Comforting Cottage Pie, Luxurious French Linen...and thoughts about happiness.

It's BC Day today and the weekend has flown by...

Mr. HB has been working hard at his office and I have been pottering about in the garden.
I took advantage of a sunny Saturday afternoon and decided I deserved a wee break .
My excuse was to do a bit of browsing and shopping.

There are several of my favourite shops located in the Oak Bay area of our city so I took off in the car and leisurely strolled along the Avenue. Poking into shops and saying hello to the merchants...
when you shop at the same stores on a regular basis you get to know the owners and they become more than just "shopkeepers."
I do not always buy things from them, I go in to see how they are doing and I ask after their families.

The French Touch carries a variety of vintage and antique pieces.

They have classes every month on painting using Anne Sloan Paints.

I adore their stock of lovely vintage linens imported from France.

A dozen of these pretty tea towels were priced separately so I purchased one.

Often the linens are sold as a set... tablecloths and matching sets of napkins or sheets.

Many are embroidered with monogrammed initials.

This one is interesting but I have no idea what it signifies or where in France it came from...

Lovely liquid soap in fragrant "Figue" from Marseilles...

which takes me back to my trip this past Spring to Paris and the South of France.

After I got home I spent some time browsing Bunny Williams' Garden Book while sipping a restorative cup of Mariage Freres Paris Tea.

Bunny's book is a wonderful guide for gardeners...and I LOVE perusing garden books.

There is so much inspiration to be found within the book.

I have her other books and am thinking that this one might need to be added to my bookshelf.

A little while later I got busy in the kitchen.

I donned my well worn soft linen apron (of course!) and made a comforting Cottage Pie.

Recipe for Cottage Pie

Saute 

1 large diced onion and 1 pound mushrooms sliced

2 peeled and chopped carrots

4 stalks of celery diced

gently cook until vegetables are no longer crisp.

Brown 1 pound of ground chicken until cooked.

add 1 cup chicken stock

(I use a tablespoon of "Better than Bouillon" chicken dissolved in boiling water.)

add in 1 cup of frozen peas

Salt and pepper ~ to taste

Place in ovenproof dish.

Boil peeled potatoes until soft 

drain and mash adding a bit of butter and milk.

Cover the cottage pie with soft mashed potatoes and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes.

Simple and tasty.

While the cottage pie was baking in the oven 

I picked some alliums and popped them in a vase 

and placed them on the front porch...

I love a day when some domestic work is accomplished in The Humble Bungalow 

and then some time remains for creative pursuits.

It's the truly "the little things"

not the acquisition of luxury goods

that put a smile on my face.

I drive an old Volvo

 wear the same clothes many times.

There's really nothing fancy going on here...

Since returning from France

I've rediscovered the Joy of gardening 

working quietly

next to

the buzzing bees 

the butterflies

amid

the birdsong.

I travelled to Paris last Spring on a trip that I'd dreamed about for years.

It was so exciting and everything was fresh and new.

I felt truly alive...

like I'd been revitalized and injected with a new energy and spirit.

Upon my return ~ and after a period of contemplation 

I've come to the realization 

that what I really "need" to be content and satisfied

is all here in the city where I live with my family and friends

inside these walls 

and outside 

in the garden 

of my own home...

"The Humble Bungalow"

I look forward to future trips but have come to the realization that I am happy leading a quiet life.

It need not be anything remarkable

nothing worthy of the news.

Living a Simple Life suits me just fine.

Thank you for stopping by...

OOTD ~ Washday observations...

It's wash day again here in our Humble Bungalow.
Mondays more frequently are washing, ironing and domestics days...

OOTD

Club Monaco jeans

Monoprix grey linen Tee

silver necklace from Paris

This inexpensive Parisian necklace gets lots of compliments.

I love white and silver together...

so icy and cool.

Our white orchid is in bloom again..this must be the 4th year that it has re-bloomed.

Orchids, the window sill variety are a great bargain...just a wee bit more than a bouquet and they continue to perform for years. 

I water mine every Monday.

Our grey and black back door rug... from Target.

The Christmas cactus is looking healthy.

It usually blooms twice a year and not always at Christmas!

Mr. HB and I both spent a lazy day on the boat this weekend.

We read our books and the cats snoozed...

I bought a new mat for the galley.

and some new melamine plates designed by Nicole Miller.

Home Sense and Winners are the source of the nautical inspired accents pieces for our boat.

Pepper

Chester

The view from here...

There were many opportunities to reflect...

remember 

and honour the memory of our Fathers

both gone but not forgotten...

I'll be starting this book soon...

I want to learn how to make a French omellete...

I need to find a non stick pan first.

The time has come to say adieu

There are linens to launder and cottons to iron...